Biology · Science General

Disease Causative Agents

2,258 Questions

Disease causative agents questions test your understanding of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, along with their transmission methods. These are common topics in general science sections of SSC and railways exams. Practice these questions to accurately identify disease pathogens and symptoms.

Viral diseasesFoodborne illnessesDisease transmission methodsExtrinsic disease factorsCommon pathogens

Disease Causative Agents Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following does not grow in artificial media?

  1. Escherichia coli

  2. Rickettsias, chlamydias, Treponema pallidum

  3. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

  4. Mycobacterium leprae

  5. Both the options 2 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Rickettsias, chlamydias (obligate intracellular pathogens) and Treponema pallidum do not grow in artificial media. Mycobacterium leprae is grown in armadillos because of its low temperature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a viral disease?

  1. Malaria

  2. Jaundice

  3. Tuberculosis

  4. Amoebiasis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Jaundice is a condition often caused by viral infections of the liver, such as Hepatitis A, B, or C. While jaundice itself is a symptom of liver dysfunction, it is the only option here commonly associated with a viral cause. Malaria and amoebiasis are caused by protozoa, while tuberculosis is caused by bacteria.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases is not cause by bacteria?

  1. Tuberculosis

  2. Typhoid

  3. Measles

  4. Leprosy

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Measles is caused by a virus (morbillivirus), while tuberculosis, typhoid, and leprosy are all caused by specific bacterial pathogens. Bacterial diseases can often be treated with antibiotics, whereas viral ones cannot.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases is caused by virus?

  1. Diphtheria

  2. Tetanus

  3. Syphilis

  4. Influenza

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Influenza is caused by the influenza virus. Diphtheria, tetanus, and syphilis are all caused by different types of bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium tetani, and Treponema pallidum respectively).

Multiple choice

The causative agent of tuberculosis is

  1. mycobacterium

  2. aspergillius

  3. entamoeba histolytica

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other organs.

Multiple choice

Bacterial disease 'pneumonia' is caused by _____.

  1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  2. Vibrio cholerae

  3. Bacillus dysenteriae

  4. Diplococcus pneumoniae
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Diplococcus pneumoniae, also known as Streptococcus pneumoniae, is the primary bacterium responsible for bacterial pneumonia. Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, while Vibrio cholerae causes cholera. Bacillus dysenteriae is associated with intestinal infections.

Multiple choice

Bacterial disease 'tuberculosis' is caused by _____.

  1. Bacillus dysenteriae

  2. Bacillus typhosus

  3. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  4. Vibrio cholerae
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily attacks the lungs. The other bacteria listed cause different diseases: Bacillus typhosus causes typhoid, Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, and Bacillus dysenteriae causes dysentery.

Multiple choice

Which disease is also known as the Henson's disease?

  1. Malaria

  2. Leprosy

  3. Measles

  4. Mumps
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Hansen's disease, commonly known as leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It is named after Gerhard Armauer Hansen, who discovered the bacterium.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases are caused by Gram-positive spore forming bacteria? P. Anthrax Q. Tetanus R. Cholera S. Typhoid Select the correct answer using codes given below:

  1. P and Q

  2. P and R

  3. Q and R

  4. Q and S

  5. R and S
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-positive, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by the anaerobic Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium tetani.

Multiple choice

Which of the following bacterial diseases are caused by members of genus Clostridium?

  1. Botulism
  2. Gas gangrene
  3. Lyme disease

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 1 and 3 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3

  5. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Botulism is a rare and potentially fatal paralytic illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produces gas in tissues in gangrene. It is a deadly form of gangrene usually caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens.

Multiple choice

Which of the following viral diseases are caused by double stranded DNA viruses? P. Measles Q. Mumps R. Chickenpox S. Smallpox Select the correct answer using codes given below:

  1. P and Q

  2. P and R

  3. Q and R

  4. Q and S

  5. R and S
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, a double stranded DNA virus of the Poxviridae family.